Teton Village, WY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/06/2017 -- The Cyprus Minister of Education and Culture issued a Decree on January 31, 2017, marked "urgent" to all Directors of Kindergartens and Primary Schools, with specific measures to eliminate and minimize wireless radiation exposure to children in schools. "We have taken the decision to have the wireless network Wi-Fi disabled in all Public kindergartens in Cyprus," reads the Decree. Wireless is to be removed from all Cyprus kindergartens, and wireless installations have been halted in elementary schools and limited to administrative offices.

"The Ministry of Education does not intend to proceed with the installation of wireless points and Wi-Fi access classrooms in elementary schools."

The Decree reminds teachers that wired internet is already available in all classrooms if the internet is needed for educational purposes. Wireless is only to be used, if needed, in the administrative areas of elementary schools, and wireless is not to be used in the classrooms.

However, if the use of Wi-Fi is deemed necessary for a specific educational program, the Decree stipulates that, "necessary measures to protect children should be taken, and wireless access points should remain inactive when not in use for teaching purposes." Furthermore, "the consent of parents should be ensured in advance." The Decree instructs the School Directors to assure parental consent and send a letter to the parents of children who will participate in programs involving wireless technology - informing the parents of the reason and duration of Wi-Fi usage.

Alongside their other campaigns about tobacco smoke and toxic chemicals, The Cyprus National Committee on Environment and Child Health initiated a nationwide campaign several years ago to raise awareness about cell phone and wireless radiation exposures to children. The multimedia public awareness campaign was lauded at an international conference on Wireless and Health held at the Israel Institute for Advanced Studies at Hebrew University in January of 2017, and organized in cooperation with the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and Environmental Health Trust (EHT).

Dr. Stella Michaelidou, President of the National Committee on Environment and Child Health shared public service video announcements and brochures about children and pregnancy at the conference. "This Committee has developed tools that are a model for other countries to follow," stated Devra Davis, PhD, MPH, of the Environmental Health Trust at the conference.

Several countries already have health policies in place to reduce school children's exposure to wireless. Cypress now joins France, Brazil, Ghent in Belgium, and Israel in banning wireless in kindergarten classrooms and enacting strong measures to minimize wireless exposures in elementary schools. France passed comprehensive new legislation in 2015 and has developed tools to inform the public about how to reduce exposure, similar to the efforts underway in Cyprus. Canada's Standing Committee on Health of the House of Commons also issued a report recommending a public education campaign.

In the United States, the Maryland State Children's Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council recently issued a Report advising the Department of Education to recommend all school districts in the State of Maryland install wired—rather than wireless—internet connections for classrooms. This action represents the first action of a state advisory body to issue guidance on wireless exposures. In Massachusetts and Oregon, several Bills have been proposed to address the health issues posed by electromagnetic radiation in schools and raised by consumers, researchers and medical professionals as concerns about school wireless exposures gains momentum in the United States.

About Environmental Health TrustEnvironmental Health Trust is a 501 C 3 registered public charity with the Internal Revenue Service that is the only non-profit in the world that is both conducting cutting-edge basic and epidemiological research and working with policy makers, physicians, teachers and parents to educate and motivate preventive public health strategies.

After reviewing new and growing evidence on health risks of wireless radiation, the Maryland State Children's Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council (CEHPAC) issued a Report advising the Department of Education to recommend local school districts reduce classroom wireless radiation exposures by providing wired-rather than wireless-internet connections. CEHPAC's health experts include Governor appointed pediatricians, Maryland State House/Senate appointees and representatives of the Department of Education and Department of Health. Theodora Scarato, MSW, of the Environmental Health Trust, first brought the issue to the Council's attention three years ago, in February of 2014. The Council cited the recent US National Toxicology Program (NTP) findings of increased rates of rare malignant cancers in animals, as well as children's unique vulnerability to the radiation in their recommendations to minimize exposure.

Several countries, such as France, Israel and Cyprus, already have protective measures minimizing school wireless radiation exposures as national policy. However, CEHPAC's action to issue recommendations to reduce classroom wireless exposures is the first of its kind by an expert state body in the United States.

The Children's Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council recommends:

1. "The Maryland State Department of Education should recommend that local school systems consider using wired devices" "WiFi can be turned off" and instead "a wired local area network (LAN) can provide a reliable and secure form of networking...without any microwave electromagnetic field exposure."

2. New construction and renovations: "If a new classroom is to be built, or electrical work is to be carried out in an existing classroom, network cables can be added at the same time, providing wired (not wireless) network access with minimal extra cost and time."

3. The Maryland State Department of Education should recommend that local school systems use strategies to minimize exposures: "Have children place devices on desks to serve as barrier between the device and children's bodies; Locate laptops in the classroom in a way that keeps pupil heads as far away from the laptop screens (where the antennas are) as practicable; Consider using screens designed to reduce eyestrain; Consider using a switch to shut down the router when it is not in use."

4. "The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene should provide suggestions to the public on ways to reduce exposure: Sit away from WiFi routers, especially when people are using it to access the internet. Turn off the wireless on your laptop when you are not using it. Turn off WiFi on smartphones and tablets when not surfing the web. Switch tablets to airplane mode to play games or watch videos stored on the device."

5. "The General Assembly should consider funding education and research on electromagnetic radiation and health as schools add WiFi to classrooms."

6. The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene should "ask the United States Department of Health and Human Services to formally petition the FCC to revisit the exposure limit to ensure it is protective of children's health and that it relies on current science."

7. The Report should be shared with the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Federal Communications Commission, Maryland State Department of Education and Maryland General Assembly.

"While this report focused on WiFi radiation in schools, there are additional concerns about mobile phones and cell phone towers. CEHPAC plans to look at these broader issues over the next year," the CEHPAC Council Report states.

"Our children's healthy future rests on the responsible actions of today," stated Scarato. "21st century learning should include 21st century science," Scarato pointed to research that found wireless alters brain development in addition to increasing cancer. "Corded non-wireless connections in school are an important part of a safe and healthy school environment, respecting not only our children but also the teachers and staff."

Referring to the fact that US wireless public exposure limits were set in 1996, without testing for long term safety, the CEHPAC Council Report also stated that, "decades-old standards need updating in light of new science." Such statements are in line with the American Academy of Pediatrics, which has also called for a regulatory review and states that children's brains are less mature and can absorb proportionately twice the wireless radiation as an adult because of children's thinner skulls that contain more fluid.

"If you plan to watch a movie on your device, first download it, then switch to airplane mode while you watch in order to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure," recommends the American Academy of Pediatrics as part of its "Ten Tips on Cell Phone Radiation."

In response to the 2016 NTP study findings of a cancer link, the American Academy of Pediatrics, Consumer Reports, Obstetricians and several Medical Associations issued recommendations to reduce cell phone and wireless exposures to children. The American Academy of Pediatrics has also repeatedly called on the United States government to strengthen wireless exposure regulations to protect children and pregnant women.

The Council heard testimony from health organizations and from parents who reside in multiple counties in the State of Maryland, including Montgomery County, Prince Georges County, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County and Howard County. The Council also received hundreds of pages of expert scientific material and comments prior to the final Report, which the Council has posted on their website.

"Parents have a right to know if there is an environmental hazard in the classroom and actions that can be taken to reduce exposure. The stakes are so high for our children, yet we are way behind what has been happening around the world. Over 20 countries have taken steps and in some cases passed legislation to protect their youngest and most vulnerable citizens and it is time we do the same for ours," stated Montgomery County parent Laura Simon, pointing to countries like France, Cyprus and Israel.

"I was shocked to learn no government health agency had reviewed the issue from a health and safety standpoint considering how fast WiFi was being installed in schools across the State." Scarato described the process of how she brought the health issue of children's exposures to wireless in schools to Maryland State agencies almost three years ago, by first writing letters of concern about the school radiation exposures.

Dr. Sharfstein, then Secretary of the Maryland Department of Health, initially responded to Scarato's concern by stating, "It is fair to say there are legitimate questions about the long-term health implications of microwave radiation" and that the Department of Health "would be interested in the advice and counsel of groups such as the Children's Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council."

Scarato pointed out that the Education Department representative on the Council voted in favor of the CEHPAC recommendations to reduce wireless exposures. The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) also had responded to Scarato's initial concerns by referring her to CEHPAC, which "exists for the purpose of identifying environmental hazards that may affect children's health and recommending solutions to those hazards."

Medical researchers are pointing to an array of psychological, emotional and physiological health issues screens pose to children at the same time that schools are integrating wireless networks and one to one device initiatives into classrooms.

In 2017, Maryland lawmakers heard testimony on Bill HB866, a first in the nation bill to create uniform screen safety guidelines for screen use in public schools "to protect children from the documented health hazards posed by daily use of digital devices." In response to wireless radiation health concerns, many schools worldwide are replacing wireless systems with wired systems, and limiting time children spend on screens.

giovedì 17 novembre 2016

This
is this bill and - 2 resolutions will be introduced at the same time.

Emails
of support to our enlightened Rep. Alissa
Keny-Guyer:

rep.alissakenyguyer@state.or.us

_____ 2016
Session(max. of 2 requests
by Nov. 24, 2015)

___x__2017 Session

Request
Date:

Legislator:

Rep.
Alissa Keny-Guyer

Phone:

503-986-1446

Legislator’s
Staff:

Jen
Corbridge

Phone:

626-375-4300

PLEASE
PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION FOR THIS REQUEST:

PROBLEM:

Schools in
Oregon are
outfitted with powerful microwave emitting wi-fi routers, laptop, ipads and
“smart” boards. These
routers are capable of connecting a hundred computers at one time and
radiation from the cell tower connecting to the router exposing children and
school staff to high amounts of pulsed radio frequency microwave radiation. This is not a problem when safe, cabled
internet connections are used.

In 2011
The World Health Organization classified radiation from all wireless devices
a Class 2B Carcinogen in the same group as auto exhaust, lead, chloroform and
DDT.

Thousands
of studies, about half from all branches of the U.S. military and N.A.S.A.,
have accumulated over many years confirming the harmful biological effects of
microwave radiation, emitted from cell towers and wireless devices.
Biological effects occur and may be harmful to children and teachers whether
they feel it or not. Results from a recently completed National Institute of
Health, National Toxicology Program study, confirmed radiation from cell
phones, the same frequency as wi-fi routers, cause brain and heart
cancer. Children are the most
vulnerable population, being twice as vulnerable as adults, and the heaviest
users of wireless devices.

In June,
2016, Dr. Otis Brawley, chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society
said, “the results of this study represents a paradigm shift in our
understanding the effects of radiation and cancer.”

Dr. Robert
Block, President of the American Academy of Pediatrics, 2012 said: --

“Children
are not little adults and are disproportionately impacted by all
environmental exposures, including cell phone radiation. In fact, according
to the International Agency for the Research on Cancer, when used by
children, the average RF (radiofrequency) energy deposition is two times
higher in the brain and 10 times higher in the bone marrow of the skull, compared
with mobile phone use by adults...it is essential that any new standard for
cell phones or other wireless devices be based on protecting the youngest and
most vulnerable populations to ensure they are safeguarded throughout their
lifetimes.”

Wireless
devices, including wireless routers, were never pre-market safety tested on
adults or children. The FCC does not acknowledge studies on the biological
effects of chronic exposure to non-ionizing radiation as other nations do
including the Russian National Committee on Non-Ionizing Radiation
Protection. (Russian exposure standards are 100x’s lower than U.S.
standards). Because our government does not protect us cities and states have
begun their own reviews of science as well as actions to protect their
citizens.

Despite
media attention, parent advocacy and scientific studies, there has been no
effort by the Department of Education or School Boards to determine whether
wi-fi is safe, or to inform students, parents and school staff ofthemanufacturers safety informationthat warns to keep tablets and smart phones
away from the body. Apple
warns:“Read all safety
information below and operating instructions before using an iPad to avoid
injury.”

PROPOSED
SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

Whenever
there is a question of safety especially when children are concerned,
educators and legislators are obligated, by their mission statements, to do
everything within their power to provide a safe environment and to
investigate science until safety can be assured. We must review the science.

The Dept.
of Education Website says:”The Board
will involve staff, parents, students, public health professionals, school
administrators and the public in the development, implementation andperiodic reviewand yearly update of this
<wellness> policy.”

The Dept.
of Education is obliged to assemble a team including educators, scientists,
parents, legislators, medical professionals and students to review
independently funded peer reviewed scientific studies on the biological and
cognitive effects of chronic microwave exposure. The results of this review
will be shared with the Senate and House Health Care Committees, Oregon
Health Authority, Oregon Dept. of Education, Oregon School Board Association,
Oregon School Superintendents Association, Oregon PTA, and other relevant
agencies.

If the
results of the study find that students and teachers may be at risk, the
Dept. of Education will make recommendations to the School Boards and their
IT Departments regarding the need for notification to partners, education for
parents and students, and possible solutions, such as replacing wireless
routers with cabled internet connections like many schools have done
internationally and in the U.S.

Schools
should be directed to teach children about safer ways to use wireless
devices, due to children’s vulnerability and high use, as they do regarding
alcohol, tobacco and drugs. Curriculum
needs to be created to inform students of the dangers of microwave devices.

HAS THIS
BEEN INTRODUCED IN A PRIOR SESSION?

Year

2015

Bill #

3350

DO YOU KNOW
WHETHER THIS AMENDS A CURRENT LAW OR PROGRAM?

Yes

(specify)

No

x

NOTES

ØCompleting
the Problem and the Solution statements (Parts 1 & 2, above) is the best
way to ensure that the draft accomplishes your objective. Attaching mock statutory language, without
explaining the Problem and the Solution, lessens the likelihood of drafting
the language correctly.

ØPersons
other than the legislator, legislator’s staff or committee staffmust present a written
note from the legislator, legislator’sstaff or committee staff authorizing this
request at the time the request is presented.

ØThis
request is considered confidential unless otherwise authorized by the
legislator making the request.

The mayor of Haifa
(in Israel)
ordered to disconnect WiFi in schools and kindergartens– until examining the safety of WiFi
thoroughly

Yona Yahav,the mayor of Haifa with children

Haifa municipality disconnects WiFi
in kindergartens and schools in the city

18/4/16

The disconnect is until a thorough
examination of WiFi safety is done

Haifa's mayor, Yona Yahav, ordered in coordination with the head
of education department, Ilana Truck, to immediately disconnect WiFi in
educational system until a thorough examination of the subject. At the same
time, Yahav guided to advance the installation of wired safer system.

Yahav:"The education
system in Haifa
is full of network computers and new, advanced technological systems. However,
regarding anything that relates to our children, if there is doubt- there is no
doubt. We must take excessive precaution.

As long as the argument on real danger was not refuted, I
ordered to disconnect all the devices in kindergartens and in schools. In order
not to prevent advanced technology from the children, we will act to activate
safe wired system".

In recent years, the internet media has become part of our
daily lives. The use of cell phones, smart phones and computers is gaining
momentum among a wide range of ages, where children is an especially sensitive
population to environmental effects among them exposure to electromagnetic
radiation (non ionizing radiation).

Since the publication of the State Comptroller report in
December 2014 on the subject

"handling electromagnetic radiation in the education
systems by local authorities and private owners", all relevant bodies were
recruited to measure radiation in all schools in the country.

Haifa municipality states, that "the education system has
advanced computers system of the highest level. They are under control and
stand in annual measurements and until today the results were lower than the
demand of the existing standard. "

In view of this, and as long as it was not proven that WiFi
radiation is dangerous, a discussion has started in the municipality to take
precaution and receive answers from the governmental ministries.

Haifa municipality is organizing a conference for the next month,
on radiation from cell phones and smart phones, in order to give knowledge to
the public on wireless emitting technologies and their effects.The conference will deal with creating a
policy for educated use of cell phones in the education system in Haifa. Part of the
conference will be dedicated to radiation from Wi-Fi. This week, in coordination with the head of
the city's education system, Ilana Truck, Yahav ordered to disconnect
immediately the WiFi in kindergartens and schools in Haifa until a thorough examination of the
subject is done.These days the
education system is preparing to gradually install wired system as an
alternative in all education system in the city. These will be installed in the
first stage in classrooms where pupils learn for the final exams that force use
of computers, so they won't be harmed from the disconnect. The teachers in
elementary schools in the city took on themselves to load every evening the
studies material from the internet, so that pupils are not exposed and their
studies won't be harmed. Dr. Mona Nofi-Naama,
head of non ionizing radiation issue, in the Cities Association Haifa Bay for
environmental protection: "According to the precautionary principle, it is
needed to reduce the exposure to non ionizing radiation as much as possible,
among the rest also WiFi, by reducing the use of wireless networks and to
prefer in every opportunity wired connection rather than wireless. The
standards relate to thermal effect only, while here the subject is health
effects that do not relate to heating that are in low levels below the
standard, but were not defined.

Turn off the device when not in use - Turn Wi-Fi on only when needed - Always place the mobile device on a solid surface - Viewing distance should be a minimum of 12 inches from the screen - Specific product information guides are available through the IT department - We ask that staff members regularly remind and instruct students in using best practices in regards to mobile devices

Every mobile phone pulses at 1 watt on full power – another million times higher for the users and people in close proximity to it when in use at full power. With regard to the Sri Lanka story below, there are 22 million mobile phones there – if they are all on and transmitting at full power that is 22,000,000 watts! (plus all the base stations!!) All close to the population.

13 Loon balloons will result in less than 100 watts being transmitted from 20 km away.

Many TV masts transmit 1,000,000 watts of microwave power.

I am concerned about the proposed satellite networks – but more for the Ozone damage that all their launches will cause and the fact that they are static.

I think we are becoming distracted here. I am not saying that we would not be better without them, but…

The much bigger dangers, in my opinion, are cellphones, cellphone base stations, WiFi in people’s homes, DECT cordless phones, Smart Meters, the Internet of Things (coming to everyone’s houses), EIA security systems in shops and malls, RFID tags (even now being used on school children – passive ones mean that the child gets irradiated by quite high microwave levels every time they pass an RF checker entrance).

I think we should focus more on what is happening RF radiation-wise on the ground near to us and our loved ones.